Teen cheerleader battles back after tragic accident

by KCCI - Des Moines Videos
2:06 mins

Teen cheerleader battles back after tragic accident

by KCCI - Des Moines Videos
2:06 mins

When Iowa cheerleader and dancer Mackenzie Gordon swerved to avoid hitting a deer last year she went off the road and, hours later, was found hanging upside down in her car. Doctors delivered devastating news: Mackenzie had lost the use of her hands and would never walk again. A year later, she's battled back. She shares recent home video of a major breakthrough when she moved her legs on her own at her rehab facility. She shouted to her mom: "Come here a second,' and she's like 'Did you to that,' and I'm like, "I'm pretty sure, I'm not 100-percent sure it's me." While she focuses on the short-term progress Mackenzie's also got her sights on a bigger goal: "Even if I'm in a wheelchair I feel like I can still inspire others and you know, tell them that you can do it again. You want to do it if you really try." Mackenzie's's family has raised $10,000 of the $30,000 she needs to return to the Colorado NeuroRecovery Network's program, which is provided by the Christopher Reeve Foundation. They are fundraising online at https://fundly.com/believe-in-mackenzie.